Why do Octopus Change Colors

Hi, Future Ticia 2024 here, and I’m updating this post, why do octopus change colors, and while it’s still a great science lesson, it needed some updating, so I’m going to add in some more resources, and a few other great things to do as you learn why octopus change colors (and how).

(there are affiliate links in here)

Now I return you to Past Ticia 2012, but I’ll pop back in from time to time.

I had planned to share with you what we did with your suggestions for starfish (unfortunately they weren’t as intrigued with starfish as I am), but sadly I LOST MY CAMERA!  So that post will have to wait until I find it again.  Please be praying it pops back up sometime soon.

We read in our Swimming Creatures text that octopus change color not just because of where they are, but also because of their mood.

Science of why and how octopus change colors

This is my first major addition, when I wrote this 12 years ago, I just said we read it, and left you to just blindly accept that. Now, let me give you some resources for that.

Huh, I could have sworn I had an octopus booklist, I don’t, makes note to correct that.

Short-term let me get you some videos. I’ll make note if your first grader (like my kids were when we completed this) or if the video is good for older kids.

These first videos are going to be aimed more for older kids, younger kids will enjoy seeing the octopus, but it’s talking to older kids and adults.

Actually, officially most of these are talking to adults.

First, this is just cool. It’s a chance to see how they move and change color.

Next, here is a bit of science explaining it.

Now this video is from

Let’s switch over to material for younger kids.

First, I have a Wild Kratts episode, this isn’t specifically about how they change color, more of “aren’t octopus cool?” Which is true, they really are.

There is a lot of energy in this next video, but it’ll keep your younger kids watching. I have to admit if I was making videos for kids, this would probably be me. In all its cheesy glory.

And finally this is just a fun video. Mark Rober has all the science in it, so your kids are still learning, but seeing how the octopus learned how to defeat the obstacle course, that’s just fun.

Why do octopus change colors art lesson

This is where we got into a fun art lesson with our science lesson. Since octopus change their colors to match their mood, I thought it would be fun to make some watercolor artwork to reflect our moods.

Now, when the kids were in first grade we just used Crayola watercolors because I didn’t know any better.

Now I believe you give kids real art supplies that I would use too (within limits), so now I would give them these watercolors to use. They’re still not great, but it’s better than Crayola.

A few years ago I found the most amazing watercolor set that was sets of mini palettes, with each palette holding 6 colors and a stack of 6 of them stacked together and screwed together. I love it because I could pass out one to each kid, and they could pass the mini-palettes around and not need multiple sets.

Sadness, I can’t find the correct term to find that set.

Past Ticia 2012 returns

This was fascinating to me, and demanded an art project.

First we painted the different colors octopuses have been seen to change.  Afterwards we painted our own idea of different emotions.

Simple, but to the point.

And a big hit.  They loved to paint the ways octopus change color.

It led to lots of great discussion as we painted our octopus emotions.

Did you ever have a science project lead to an art project?  My kids LOVED this!

Past Ticia ran a science linkie, here are the people I shared then

Let’s see what others did this week (or in the past several weeks):

• Over at Homegrown Learners they learned about Louis Pasteur, I’m linking to this partially because of the cool movie clip she found and partially because it was such a blast from the past to see this book series, which I had and LOVED growing up.
• Fit Kids Clubhouse had a great post about her son’s experiment with a lava lamp.  I really encourage you to take the time and read it, not skim, but read.  It’s a great testimony about taking the time to follow your child’s lead.
• Raising Lifelong Learners has a great post on making your own compass.
• And finally here’s a fun suggestion of a series of books to read with your kiddos about different animals.

Octopus picture from Brian Gratwickie, picture was cropped and modified to add words and overlay